SAFER COMMUTING
London’s efforts to promote cycling and electric mobility have brought cleaner air, healthier lifestyles, and more accessible commutes. However, these benefits come with new challenges, particularly in ensuring safety for all road and pavement users. My manifesto outlines key measures to make commuting in London safer, fairer, and more sustainable for everyone.
E-Bikes and E-Scooters: A Growing Concern
E-bikes can weigh up to 30kg and, when modified, exceed safe speeds, with private e-scooters, often illegal, frequently reach speeds of 25-30 mph.Older pedestrians and vulnerable road users are at significant risk due to reckless behaviour and rule violations.
Enforcement Gaps
A lack of specific data on e-bike incidents complicates targeted interventions.Current enforcement resources are inadequate; for example, only two officers patrol on bikes for the City of London.
Non-Compliance with Speed and Registration Laws
Many e-bike users bypass throttle locks, enabling speeds far beyond the legal 15.5 mph limit. Registration laws for high-powered e-bikes remain widely ignored.
To address these issues while preserving the benefits of cycling and e-mobility, I propose the following actions:
- Implement E-Bike and E-Scooter Wardens
- Deploy affordable, trained wardens to monitor behaviour and enforce regulations.
- Issue on-the-spot fines for reckless riding, pavement use, and unregistered vehicles.
- Introduce powers to confiscate illegally modified or dangerously used e-bikes and e-scooters.
Strengthen Safety Regulations
- Require licenses, number plates, and insurance for high-powered or modified e-bikes and private e-scooters.
- Mandate helmets for riders of these vehicles to enhance safety.
- Ban e-bikes and e-scooters from pavements to protect pedestrians.
Improve Data Collection and Transparency
- Separate incident reporting for bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters to better understand trends and risks.
- Use data to guide policy and enforcement priorities effectively.
Educate and Empower Riders
- Launch public awareness campaigns to promote responsible riding and adherence to traffic laws.
- Provide accessible information on the legal use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
London’s streets should be shared spaces where everyone feels safe—whether walking, cycling, or using electric mobility. By balancing encouragement with accountability, we can create a city where sustainable transport thrives without compromising safety.
Let’s work together for a London that moves forward responsibly